A/N: *whining ahead*
So I'm really sorry for not updating even when I said I'd update at 20+ votes. I know I'm a horrible and a mean human being. My exams were on and I didn't get time. I'm sorry.
THANKS FOR ALL THE VOTES AND COMMENTS! TRUST ME I CAN'T EXPLAIN THROUGH WORDS, HOW THRILLED AND HAPPY I AM, WHICH IS IRONIC, GIVEN THAT I'M A WRITER.
Aishwarya's POV
Without delay, I bolted to the airport to fly back to Cape Town, deciding midway to call Eleanor once before disappearing from London. I rapidly punched her ten digits into my iPhone, startled by my own memory. Being the forgetful person that I am, I tend to forget names of people I met months ago, memorizing phone numbers was out of question.
While I waited for her to pick up her end, I fiddled with my nails aimlessly. For my words to be spoken to her were unsettled upon.
"Hi," my best friend spoke in her casual tone after a few impatient rings, soothing me out of my distress, by just a little.
"El-" I managed to choke out. Her sugary voice was enough to get my waterfall of tears started.
Okay, I didn't plan this. But she was Eleanor, I can't hide anything from her.
We all have friends who comfort us and sometimes we don't want to confide our woes in them but by just seeing them or talking to them we get a sort of comfort and without thinking we blurt out our botherings to them, knowing they'll be there to support and help us through. Eleanor was that for me.
"What's wrong? Did Harry-" She transitioned from an I-am-bored to What-the-fuck-happened-to-you in a matter of milliseconds. That's the thing about me and El, we don't need words to communicate. Even though we can't see each other right now, she could instantly guess what's wrong with the me.
"El, I'm going back to Cape Town," I tried to muffle my sobs and get the words out.
"It's about him, isn't it?" She sounded irritated, "What did he do?"
"Nothing El," I wiped my tears away.
Why am I crying for this guy? It's over and I have to understand that.
"Aishwarya," Eleanor spoke in a restless tone. "I'll talk to him. Trust me, it'll all be okay. Just don't leave. Don't give up so early."
"Nothing will be okay. I know. I heard him talk to some girl over the phone. He confessed he didn't love me. I heard it myself."
"Did you ask him?"
"What?" I asked surprised. Given that Eleanor knows how bad I hate confrontations, she shouldn't be asking anything like this. "No, I didn't have to courage to."
"Don't jump to random conclusions stupid lady," my best friend tried to be as composed and graceful while cursing me. "You have to talk to him. If you don't I will-"
"Talk to who?" Came a familiar voice from the other end. My eyes widened in fear, recognising the owner.
Louis.
"Uh. Nothing. No one babe." Eleanor tried to cover up for me. But she honestly is too bad at lying. Plus she does some lip twitching action which instantly gives her away and this time was going to be no different. I knew.
"I heard you, baby." Louis spoke very calmly. "Who are you talking to?"
"No, Eleanor. You can't tell him-" I whined into the phone but Louis probably took the phone from her hands and heard me too.
"You can't tell me what?" Perplexity taking over his tone as well.
"Nothing. Louis. I. I just." I stammered in response as tears stung my eyes again, a cracked voice further adding to my dismay.
"If it was nothing, you wouldn't be crying, love." I felt an edge genuineness to his words.
"Louis. It's okay. It's done and over." I smiled like I really meant it, morphing my previous emotions of despair and lost faith.
"Lou, give me the phone. I gotta talk to her. She's going back to Cape Town." Eleanor shouted in an anguished tone, in the background.
I was partly thankful to her for diverting Louis' attention but pissed because she wasn't supposed to tell anyone.
"She is-what?" He asked completely appalled by his girlfriend's words. "Aishwarya, you are going back? Why? I swear to God if it's something Harry did, I'm gonna break his nose. And a few limbs too." He said with no funny business to his words.
I couldn't help but chuckle lightly, a slight change from the grim mood. "Thank you, Louis. But there's really no need."
"Trust me, Aishwarya. I'll do that. Did he say something? Tell me already what happened," he said restlessly.
"I'm not good enough and he just proved that."
"Hell, you are, Aishwarya. You are actually the best thing that has ever happened to him. If anything he's the one who doesn't deserve you. You have to sort this out. We-are gonna sort this out, for you are not going anywhere. Just tell me where you are, I'm coming to pick you up."
"I'm already near the airport. I'm leaving, Louis. Please don't stop me," my voice cracked again.
Louis being the adorable and understanding one, didn't push any further but he said releasing a deep defeated sigh, "Fine. I support you and your decisions. But atleast meet us one last time before you leave?"
I smiled in response and quickly nodded realizing how he couldn't see me so I blurted out really fast. "Done. See you in a while?"
"Yeah!" He said before going off, his voice full of excitement at the anticipation of seeing me but a little gloomy at my leave too.
After the phone call ended, the drive to the airport was excruciating. I was completely restless and I had no idea on how to keep my self calm. But it was a long drive but I was so sure Louis and El would reach before me, which was actually true.
Following a forty minute drive from my and Harry's-No, Harry's place, I finally reached my destination. I quickly got out of the cab, paying him off and grabbing my luggage to make my way to towards the Departure Area.
My phone beeped with a text message from a blocked number.
Meet us at Starbucks, Terminal 12B
E x
I loaded my hefty strollers onto the trolley to stroll over to where she'd asked me to meet her. Trying to balance my shoulder bag and the luggage trolley, I somehow managed to reach Starbucks, just like she'd asked me to. I quietly scanned the café for traces of the two of my friends, and felt someone gently slide their hands over my eyes, completely blocking my vision.
"Guess who?" Louis impersonated an Irish accent, which was quite offensive by the way.
"Hey," came the original Irish leprechaun's slightly annoyed voice followed by a light playful smack on Louis' muscled arm.
"Fine, Ni," Louis retreated his hands and placed them defensively on his waist. "Don't get physical. That hurt. A lot actually."
I turned around to all of them, smiling my peculiar one from ear to ear, but they were busy fighting like stupid teens.
"Lou-" Niall started.
"Yeah, Louis. You might wanna get it checked for fractures," spoke an agitated Liam, rolling his eyes. "Cut it out, you two."
"Liam's right. Lou, concentrate," said my best girl friend earning a small chuckle from me.
"Eleanor, it's fine. Liam, let it go," I said as I turned to find him quarrelling with Niall. "This exactly is the reason why I love you all. You bloody fucking idiots can't get serious even at a time like this."
My words sent a wave of laughter to erupt within the group followed by Liam motioning us to keep low and come sit in the private booth that was specifically booked for us.
"I thought only you and Lou were coming" I pointed out to El, out of the blue while the others were still getting comfortable. "And I wish Zayn could be here too."
"Well, Lou called them immediately once your call ended. After some hurried discussions-" Eleanor said.
"And a few lies to Harry, we decided we all needed to come see you. Zayn wanted to come too but Harry would have got the idea so we let him stay with him, at the studio." Liam jumped in. "However, Perrie should have been here ten minutes ago." He said tapping at his wrist watch.
"So you didn't tell Harry I'm leaving?" I asked, rather confused because I didn't call him, hoping they'd do it for me. But I did a little piece of paper addressed to him.
"Bloody hell, Aishwarya, you didn't tell the poor guy you're leaving? Forever?" Eleanor asked frustrated.
"What?" Louis' tone motioning his agreement with his girlfriend.
"I left him a note," I spoke meekly in my defence. "He pretty much doesn't care anyway."
"But Aishwarya-" Louis said.
"I'm so sorry guys. But Zayn said it was important that I didn't forget it. So I came halfway and then I had to go back to collect it. I'm so sorry I got late." Perrie appeared by the table and started blabbering tiredly.
"It's totally okay, Perrie. I'm just glad you came. And what was it you were talking about?" I got up to give the pretty blonde a hug receiving a quick peck to my cheek in response.
"You'll find out soon. By the way, you look tired, love." She said as she rubbed my shoulders.
"I'm fine, really. Let's order something. I'm hungry," I admitted and quickly hopped on to change the topic of discussion.
"Now I'm glad to have my gluttony friend back," grinned a happy Niall, at me, after a long time. Another round of laughter erupted followed by every one placing their order to Niall so he could get it.
"And you, Aishu?" Louis asked after everyone was done.
"I'll have the Mocha Java Chip," but as soon as the name left my lips, a memory flashed through my head. "No, I'll have a plain Cappuccino."
"Okay," Niall said and mentally revised the order, while making his way to the counter.
"Cappuccino?" Eleanor asked once Lou and Niall were out of earshot.
"Yeah, I'm in the mood for something hot," I lied which she clearly didn't buy but didn't push me either.
Actually the frappuccino was mine and Harry's favourite. It took me back to those times when Harry would get me the drink as my breakfast-in-bed. He'd be out on the streets secretly, to get me my drink before I even woke up.
Oh, Harry!
Eleanor sighed when I didn't say any further and said, "You don't have to leave if you don't want to. You can stay back and work on it."
"Yeah, Aishwarya. Please don't go," pleaded Perrie.
"But-" I tried to argue.
"Stop pestering the poor girl, you two," Liam scolded them. "Do what you feel is right, Aishu and we'll stand by whatever decision you take."
"I agree with Liam," Louis voiced.
"Thank you," I smiled at both the guys. "I love you all, so much for this."
"Here's our order," Niall announced and quickly moved to distributing to each one their respective drink.
After which we all sat and chatted for an hour in the café. We talked about everything, our first time together and all our other stupid memories. Our sleepovers, hangovers, movie nights, lame jokes and our holidays together. By the end, I had my heart welling up with the revived memories.
But I tried to keep my sadness to myself. I didn't want them to know. Because as much as I didn't want to leave, I knew I had to. Soon came the time for goodbyes and I stood up to give each one of them a hug, starting with my favourite, Louis.
"Thanks, for everything. I'll love you forever and even though I'm leaving, our relationship will stay strong as ever. Promise me?" He nodded in response. "And take care of El for me, please. Let her not feel my absence."
"I will, you stupid. And I promise to be your same shameless cheeky brother for the rest of our lives. You can't get me off your back so easily," he took my hands in his and spoke next. "Good luck for your new life. And here have this."
He slipped a little page booklet into my tiny hands which I instantly recognised as a ticket.
"You didn't have to-"
"We wanted to." He smiled as I moved to Liam kissing him sweetly on his left cheek.
"Thanks for everything, Li. You've been so adorable and supportive to me. Also don't stop being yourself and taking care of all the boys."
"Don't worry, Aishu. I will. You take care too." He smiled.
Before I moved on to Niall next, I turned back to Liam and said, "Please take care of Harry for me?"
He nodded and kissed me on my forehead. "Don't you worry, love."
Next in line was the well-known Horan hug and I swear to God, I didn't want to let go. So I spoke while still in the hugging position, "Niall, if you ever find a better food friend than me, don't forget me." My voice even cracked a little.
"I never will, sweetcheeks. And all the best for the wonderful memories you are yet to make in your life."
Next moved to Eleanor, "I love you, El." I didn't say more. Possibly because I didn't need to.
She nodded and said, "I love you too. And everyone is right. Even though I badly want to you to stay, I'm not gonna ask you to do that. I know you'll have a happier future there. So go, go live your life and fall in love again."
"Thanks, El."
Next came Perrie, but before I could give her a hug, she started to shuffle through her bag to pull out a lemon yellow gift paper wrapped item, with a cute little red bow on top.
She handed it to me and said, "Open it." Which I did, immediately, only to find a pretty snow globe.
I twirled it around so the glittery snow fell onto the cute couple, which were happily dancing away. A tear slipped from my eye remembering how special the petty gift was to me.
"Thank you, Perrie. Didn't know you still had that. This is the best goodbye gift ever."
"It's okay, babe. Just take care," she hugged me one last time before I left.
Also please tell me if you enjoy these sexless chapters because if you don't, I won't write any! :)
Next update with 7+ votes! (Sorry, I'm not an evil person! :( )
So I wanted to add a little of Harry's POV here too, but the problem was, I have yet to write the part. So enjoy this and the next chapter will only be Harry's POV. And trust me, it'll be worth the wait. And that'll maybe even explain why he's acting the way he is :)
I love y'all x